Tech Tip Tuesday: Guest Lecturers via Web-Conferencing

Having a guest come into the class to speak can be a bit of a hassle, but with a bit of ingenuity and know how you can quickly get a guest in your room even if they are miles away.  If the guest you have in mind has a web cam and one of a couple of services you can invite them into your classroom.  Some of the services that currently allow video conferencing include:

• Skype


• iChat (for the Mac)(compatible with your GoogleTalk account)


• GoogleTalk(Windows only but compatible with iChat)


• Windows Live Messenger (Windows)(Mac)


• Yahoo Messenger


• AIM (AOL Instant Messenger)

Each of these has their own set of challenges, and the possibility of being blocked.

Another great tool you can use for video conferencing with guest lecturers is Wimba.  A tool available to all Utah Educators.  You can learn more at www.uen.org/wimba